The band was formed by Jack Steadman (vocals, guitar, bass), Jamie MacColl (bass, guitar, banjo, vocals), Suren De Saram (drums) under the name of The Canals when they were 15. Ed Nash (bass, keyboard, mandolin) later joined the trio as they switched between various aliases before picking Bombay Bicycle Club. The band took their name from a chain of curry houses in the London Area and have released four studio albums, "I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose" (2009), "Flaws" (2010), "A Different Kind Of Fix" (2011) and "So long, See You tomorrow" (2014).
After winning the opening slot at V Festival 2006 ('Road to V' competition) and also played Reading / Leeds Festival for the three years running, in Febuary 2007 they released their début EP The Boy I Used To Be. This was followed up in October with the release of their second EP How We Are. In mid-July of 2009 they released their first album I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose consisting of 12 tracks. The album peaked at number 46 on the UK Official Album Charts.
In Summer 2010 they released their second album, Flaws . A UK tour co-incided with the release of the album which - surprisingly - is an acoustic recording. Venues on the tour reflected this new acoustic orientation, which gained them a number 8 on the album charts.
The lead single from their third album, A Different Kind Of Fix was released on June 23, 2011 and peaked at #40 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States, the band's first chart appearance in the country. The album reached the number 6 position on the UK album charts.
The band added Amber Wilson to their live party as an additional keyboardist and background vocalist. Singer/songwriter Lucy Rose also joined the live performances on vocals, after featuring on several songs from the albums "Flaws" and "A Different Kind of Fix".
On November 5th, 2013 "Carry me" was released as an advance of their fourth studio album through Island Records. "Luna" was the second single to be extracted from the album "So long, see you tomorrow" which coveted the band their first UK number 1.
After a long 6-year hiatus, the band made a comeback in 2020 with "Everything Else Has Gone Wrong", their fifth record. The album was released on January 16th via Mmm... Records, with eleven tracks.
"We’re thrilled to say that our 5th album, Everything Else Has Gone Wrong, is out now.
When we started discussing the possibility of making another record after our a few years away as a band, we said we’d only release an album if we were confident that it stood up to our previous work. We’ve ended up with an album we’re really proud of, and we hope you agree that it’s been worth the 6-year wait.
Recording this one was definitely one of the most enjoyable recording processes we’ve had as a band. Working with John Congleton, we had an initial session in London in early Spring last year at Konk studio, where we’d done our first and fourth albums. We then went to LA in late Summer to record the majority of it with John. Spending 3 weeks in LA was an unforgettable experience for the four of us. It was the first extended period of time we’d spent together in a long while and reinforced what we’d been missing during these few years. We hope that positive energy that was there during those 3 weeks has translated onto the record.
We’ve touched previously on how the album is about the comfort that music can provide in times of need. Hopefully, this record can give you that escape should you ever need it.
We want to get to as many places as possible to play these new songs for you. Wherever you are in the world, fingers crossed we’ll see you soon.
Lots of love
Bombay x."
Bad Timing
Bombay Bicycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never mind him calling you, just keep them there
Why do you keep me back?
With all your powers I am pushing at
No never can it be
These are the words that you once said to me
Why do you keep me back?
No I'm not home enough
Then I get back and you have taken off
No never can it be,
I guess I'd like to think it was bad timing
In Bombay Bicycle Club's song Bad Timing, the lyrics explore the complexity of a relationship that seems to be reaching its end. The singer asks his lover to hold his gaze and not to pay attention to anyone else who might be distracting her. He wonders why she is holding him back, despite his attempts to move forward. He acknowledges her power over him but feels like she is keeping him from reaching his full potential. The lyrics "No never can it be, these are the words that you once said to me" suggest that there was a time when the relationship might have worked, but that it is now beyond repair.
The chorus repeats the question, "Why do you keep me back?" with an added line stating that the singer is not home enough and that when he returns, she has left. He wonders if it was all just bad timing, implying that if their paths had crossed at a different time, things might have been different. The use of the phrase "bad timing" throughout the song gives a sense of fate and how things can go wrong despite our intentions.
Overall, the lyrics of Bad Timing capture the emotional complexity of a failing relationship and speak to the idea that sometimes love just isn't enough to make things work.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I have your wayward stare?
Can I receive your distracted gaze?
Never mind him calling you, just keep them there
Don't pay attention to his attempts to contact you, just remain fixated on me.
Why do you keep me back?
What's holding you from moving forward with me?
With all your powers I am pushing at
Despite all of your capabilities, I'm having difficulty progressing with you.
No never can it be
It doesn't seem possible.
These are the words that you once said to me
These are the things you said to me previously.
No I'm not home enough
I'm not present at home as much as you desire.
Then I get back and you have taken off
When I do return home, you're already gone.
No never can it be
It's not likely to happen.
I guess I'd like to think it was bad timing
Perhaps the timing for our relationship just wasn't right.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JACK WILLIAM THOMAS STEADMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lilyhope432
(copy-pasted from Genius)
[Verse 1]
Can I have your wayward stare?
Never mind him calling you, just keep them there
[Chorus]
Why do you keep me back?
With all your powers I am pushing at
[Verse 2]
No never can it be
These are the words that you once said to me
[Chorus]
Why do you keep me back?
With all your powers I am pushing at
[Outro]
No I'm not home enough
Then I get back and you have taken off
No never can it be
I guess I'd like to think it was bad timing
Timing, timing, timing
@CharismaStrategies
Honestly, I think this is one of the best indie/alternative rock songs I've ever heard. I can't explain it. It's just so brilliant. Musically and instrumentally amazing, as well having deep and interesting lyrics. Not to mention the dark and eerie vocals. Fantastic.
@goudronsale8079
THE TUNE MAN OUTCHHHH
@treytison1444
Definitely one of their underrated ones
@rhaengelos3453
I am so glad I've found this group again after so long (3 or 4 years). This was part of my introduction to indie music.
@Chaziltasm
I Miss when this band was more experimental. This song is quite unusual, in terms of it's structure, and it has that classic indie sound we all love. There is a lot of layering going on here too, it sounds so epic by the end.
@nelsano3
These guys are great players. The rhythm section is amazing.. At loud volume this track is mind blowingly good!
@AirQuotes
God damn I just love this song. It's beautiful and sad. One of their best
@TheBiglips88
Honestly, these guys are just brilliant. Why this tune does not have more views is just bizarre. But I like it that way, keep it between us and the select few who know and appreciate the real music these guys create.
@jetonbalidemaj
WHY DOESNT THIS HAVE MORE VIEWS ? WHAT A BANGER
@AirQuotes
Because it isn't a banger. You can't play this in a club. I think it's a fantastic song. It's one of my favourites, but I can't see it being a huge hit. Would gladly be proven wrong, though